Radio tube and the like



April 26, 1938. M. R. SCHULTE RADIO TUBE AND THE LIKE Filed May 15, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. Mflfon R 5c/ru/fe April 26, 1938. M. R. SCHULTE 2,115,691

RADIO TUBE AND THE LIKE Filed May 15, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Mi/zan f7. fahu/ie ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 26, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RADIO TUBE AND THE LIKE Application May 15, 1937, Serial No. 142,773

18 Claims.

This invention relates to radio tubes, vacuum tubes and other similar electronic discharge devices.

One object of the invention is a novel and improved method of spacing, centering and supporting the elements of the device within the glass bulb.

A further object of the invention is a novel and improved device of the character above indicated in which certain of the fastening elements of conventional practice are. dispensed with,the leakage path is maintained at a maximum, electrical communication is established between an electrode and the glass bulb and the manufacture and assembly of the elements is facilitated.

More particularly, the invention resides in a novel construction and method of mounting and supporting the inner and outer mica spacing strips and the centering and supporting clips of radio tubes and the like.

A further object of the invention is a novel and improved structure and method of spacing, centering and supporting the electrode assembly of a radio tube and the like whereby an improved structure is obtained, the assembly is facilitated and. the cost of manufacture is reduced.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application wherein:

Fig. 1 is an end view of aradio tube embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side View thereof;

Fig. 3 is an exploded view of certain of the elements thereof;

Fig. 4 is a view of the elements shown in Fig. 3 after assembly;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Figxfi is a side view with parts broken away at right angles to Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a side view of the electrode support wires;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view looking down upon the end of the electrode assembly with the bulb in section;

Fig. 9 is a side view corresponding to Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a section along the line I 0-10 of Fig. 8 with certain of the parts shown in elevation and broken away;

' Fig. 11' is an enlarged sectional view taken along the lines Hll of Fig. 9; and

Fig. 12 is a sectional View taken along the line 55" l2-=-l2 of Fig. 11.

Referring to the drawings, I have illustrated my invention as embodied in a conventional radio tube and the like comprising the glass bulb I, the base 2, the plug terminals 3 and the glass press or stem 4 upon which the electrode assembly 5 is mounted. The assembly 5 comprises the conventional electrode or plate support wires 6, grid support wires 1 and cathode 8. Inner and outer spacing strips of insulating material, as for example mica, are indicated respectively at H] and II.

The spacer i9 is provided with apertures near the ends thereof for the reception of the support wires 6. At the center of the spacing strip is provided an opening 13 for the reception of the lower end of the cathode 8, and on the opposite sides of this opening I3 there are provided openings l4 for the accommodation of the lower ends of the grid support wires 1. The spacer Ill is supported and held in a position at right angles to the members 6, l, and 8 and in spaced relation to the electrode plate 9 directly by the support wires 6.

This is efiected by forming the humps. l5 in the support wires 6 at points just below the electrode 9 upon which humps the spacer IE] is supported and held in horizontal position. The humps I 5 are oppositely formed, that is, the hump in one wire 6 is formed on one side of the plane of the wires and the hump in the other wire 6 is formed on the other side of the plane of the wires. Moreover, the upper surface N5 of these humps i5 is formed to merge upwardly into the wire 6 in the gradual curve shown at ll, with the surface 16 forming an angle a with the upper portion of the support wire 6, which is slightly greater than 90. I have found that by forming the humps 15 in the particular manner and in the particular shape shown, and on the opposite sides of the plane of the wire 6, that the spacer 10 may be firmly and effectively supported thereon without necessitating any other fastening means either to the support wire 6 or the electrode plate 9.

The method of assembly is indicated in Fig. 3 wherein the spacer H] is shown in position to be threaded upon the support wires 6 and brought down upon the humps l5 and there supported and locked in spaced relation to the other members. of the electrode assembly 5. The unit including the electrode plate 9 is then threaded or inserted upon the support wires 6, with the lower ends of the grid Wires 1 and cathode 8 passing through the openings l4 and 13 formed in the spacer, as indicated in Fig. 4. The spacer III is supported by and is in part locked in the position at right angles to the support wires 6 by the humps I5 formed in the support wires 6, the particular curvature and formation of these bearing surfaces effecting this purpose. Movement of the spacer I6 towards the electrode plate 9 is prevented by the friction between the spacer and the support wires 6 and l and the cathode 8. The next step in the assembly is the mounting of the outer spacer I I and the centering and supporting clips 20. This spacer I I may be of any form or shape, as for example in the particular embodiment shown being rectangular, and is provided at its ends with tongues or tabs I I. It is provided with openings or apertures I2, I3 and I4, similar to those formed in the spacer IE), for accommodating the outer ends of the support wires 6, the cathode 8 and the grid support wires I. The spacer II is threaded or inserted upon the support wires 6 and I and the cathode B after the assemblying of the electrode unit 9, and is anchored in place and spaced from the unit 9 by means of the pair of centering, supporting and anchoring metallic members or clips 20. Each of these clips may be of any suitable metal or alloy, such for example as nickel steel, and is formed of an elongated strip preferably having its ends 20' turned at an angle b to the main body thereof. These clips 20 are preferably very thin and flexible and each is provided longitudinally with an elongated strengthening and mica positioning corrugation 2I on the same side towards which the feet or ends 20' are turned and such corrugation extends to the points 22 just short of the turned ends or feet 20. The corrugation and corresponding groove are, at their outer ends, of shallow depth but gradually increase in depth and width toward a point midway of the ends of the clip. Each clip is also provided with a slot 23 at the midpoint for the reception of a tab II of the spacer II and each slot extends into and through the corrugation 2I. Each clip is provided also with a transverse groove 24 at the slot 23 and at a point midway of the length of the clip. This groove 24 is formed on the opposite side of the clip from the corrugation 2| and corresponds in curvature and radius roughly to the curvature and radius of the support wires 6. With the spacer II threaded over the support wires 6 and I and the cathode B the clips 20 are assembled with the outer ends of the support wires 6 disposed in the grooves 24 and with the tabs II passing through the slots 23. In this position the end edges 25 of the spacer II are disposed in the grooved corrugations of the corresponding clips 20. With the parts thus assembled and with the clips 20 resting upon the electrode plate 9 the clips are mechanically and electrically fastened to the support wires 6, as for example, by welding the support wires to walls of the grooves 24. The distance of the slot 23 above the lower edge of a clip 20, when assembled and fastened in position, determines the vertical spacing of the spacer II from the electrode plate 9, and in the particular embodiment shown this slot 23 and the corrugation 2I are formed slightly below the center longitudinal line of the clip.

With the spacers Ill and II thus mounted the unit 5 including the press 4 is then slid into the bulb I in any conventional manner. When. the unit is inserted into the bulb the resiliently flexible clips 20 assume the curved forms indicated in Figs. 1, 8, and 11, the feet 20' engaging the interior of the bulb I and thereby causing the ends of each of the clips 20 to bend inwardly toward each other in directions parallel to the spacer II to form generally the shape illustrated in the drawings. Prior to this assembly it is understood, of course, that the usual electrical connections are made between the terminals carried by the press 4 and the terminals of the elements of the electrode assembly.

The advantages ofthe structure and the method of assembly above described are indicated above. Both spacers I and II are mounted upon the support wires 6, thereby obviating the necessity for any mechanical support or fastening of these devices to the electrode 9. There are no special fasteners, therefore, to reduce the leakage path and add to the cost of manufacture, and the shrinkage usually present in the mounting of the spacers according to conventional practice is substantially eliminated. The positioning and spacing of the spacers is automatically determined by the humps I and by the engagement of the clips 20 with the electrode 9 thereby reducing the skill required for the assembly of these parts yet assuring precision assembly. The clips 20 are more durable and less expensive than the conventional mica supports, and the clips 20 establish electrical communication between the electrode and the glass bulb, thereby minimizing static charges on the bulb and interference in operation due thereto. The clips 20 may be economically and cheaply manufactured and a radio tube is obtained which is characterized by its good performance and endurance due to the precision in assembly rendered possible by this invention.

I claim:

1. In a radio tube of the character set forth, an electrode assembly unit comprising a press, outer support wires mounted thereon, an electrode carried by the wires, inner and outer spacer strips mounted upon said support wires, said wires having humps formed therein on the opposite sides of the plane of the Wires and in spaced relation to the electrode and supporting the inner spacer strip, said outer spacer having tabs formed on the end thereof, and a pair of elongated metallic clips extending transversely of the support wires and welded respectively to the outer ends thereof, said clips having slots for the reception of said tabs and welded to said wires with the clips resting upon said electrode and the ends thereof engaging the interior walls of the bulb.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the metallic clips is formed with a longitudinal corrugation for the purpose set forth.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the metallic clips is provided with a longitudinal corrugation throughout the central body portion thereof, said corrugation decreasing in depth from a point midway of the length towards the ends.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the clips is provided with a transverse groove at a point midway of its length for receiving a support wire. 7

5. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the clips is provided with a longitudinal corrugation throughout the central body portion thereof with the ends of the outer spacer strip disposed in the grooves of said corrugations.

6. In a radio tube, a press, a pair of support wires mounted thereon, an electrode assembly unit carried by said support wires, said support wires having humps formed therein in spaced relation to said unit and an insulating spacer strip having apertures therein for the reception of the support wires and resting upon said humps.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the humps of the support wires are formed on the opposite sides of the plane of the wires and each hump is provided with an outer surface formed at an angle greater than 90 to the wire, said surface merging into the wire in a gradual curve.

8. In a radio tube, an electrode assembly contained in said tube and having a pair of metal centering and supporting clips and a spacer strip anchored in position solely by said clips, said clips having their ends engaging the interior of the wall of the tube and bent outwardly from each other.

9. In a radio tube, an electrode assembly unit supported within said tube and mounted upon a pair of support wires, said unit including a spacer strip threaded over said wires and a pair of centering and supporting metallic clips extending transversely of the tube and engaging the interior wall thereof, said strip having portions thereof disposed in the plane of and engaged by said clips and said clips being in engagement with said support wires.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said clips are disposed in planes parallel to the axis of the tube. and have their ends turned outwardly from each other.

11. In a radio tube, a press, a pair of support wires mounted on said press, an electrode assembly unit carried by said support wires, including a pair of metallic clips extending transversely of the wires and welded thereto and a spacer strip anchored in position longitudinally of the support wires by said clips, each of the metallic clips being formed of a thin flexible strip and with a longitudinal corrugation throughout its central body portion.

12. In a radio tube, a press, a pair of support wires mounted on said press, an electrode assembly unit carried by said support wires, including a pair of metallic clips extending transversely of the wires and welded thereto and a spacer strip anchored in position longitudinally of the support wires by said clips, each of the metallic clips being formed of a thin flexible strip and with a longitudinal corrugation throughout its central body portion, with the ends turned outwardly and engaging the interior wall of the bulb.

13. In a radio tube, a press, a pair of support wires mounted on said press, an electrode assembly unit carried by said support wires, including a pair of metallic clips extending transversely of the wires and welded thereto and a spacer strip anchored in position longitudinally of the support wires by said clips, each of the metallic clips being formed with a groove at a point midway of its length for the reception. and fastening of a support wire, with a longitudinal corrugation formed in the central body portion of a clip and increasing in. depth towards the central point and each of said clips having a slot for the reception of a tab formed in said spacer strip.

14. In a radio tube, an electrode assembly unit including a pair of support wires, a pair of elongated metallic strip centering and spacing clips having transverse grooves formed in the main body portions thereof and extending transversely of the Wires with the latter disposed in said grooves and fastened and electrically connected therewith, and a spacer strip threaded over said wires with the ends of said spacer strip engaging the metallic clips and thereby anchored in position longitudinally of the support wires.

15. In a radio tube, an electrode assembly unit comprising a pair of support wires, a pair of elongated metallic strip centering and spacing clips. having longitudinal grooves formed therein, said clips extending transversely of and fastened flat against said wires, and a spacer strip having its ends disposed in the grooves of'the aforesaid clips, and being thereby anchored in position longitudinally of the wires.

16. In a radio tube, an electrode assembly unit comprising a pair of support Wires, a pair of elongated metallic strip centering and spacing clips having grooves formed longitudinally thereof and slots formed therein for a portion of the length of the grooves, said clips extending transversely of the wires and fastened fiat against the same, and a spacer strip having its ends disposed in said grooves and provided with tabs extending through said slots, said spacer strip being thereby anchored in position longitudinally of the support wires.

17. In a radio tube, an electrode assembly unit comprising a pair of support wires, a pair of elongated metallic strip centering and spacing clips extending transversely of the wires and fastened flat against the same, said clips having slots formed centrally in the main body portions thereof and a spacer strip with its ends disposed in said slots for anchoring the strip in position longitudinally of the support wires.

18. In a radio tube, a metallic clip for flexibly centering an electrode assembly unit within the glass bulb thereof, consisting of a thin narrow elongated metallic: strip having a transverse groove formed on one side thereof for the reception of a support wire and fastening the same thereto and having an elongated corrugation extending throughout the main body portion thereof and disposed on the opposite side of the strip from that of said transverse groove, said corrugation gradually tapering off in depth toward the ends thereof.

MILTON R. SCHULTE. 

